The adult client's conception of confidentiality in the therapeutic relationship.

50 outpatient psychotherapy clients, 26 inpatients, and 50 hospital employees completed a 20-item questionnaire concerning 4 areas relevant to privacy in psychotherapy. Scores on general attitudes revealed that Ss significantly valued confidentiality. Inpatients valued confidentiality significantly more than did the outpatient or nonpatient comparison groups. Data suggest that patients were generally unable to differentiate between privacy as an ethical concept and as a legal concept. Responses to casehandling questions revealed a low level of concern about these technical intrusions on privacy. Total scores for outpatients who perceived a violation in confidentiality in either a past or current therapy relationship were significantly lower than for Ss who indicated no history of past or current violations. Implications for client pretherapy preparation are discussed. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)